Introduction to SMART Recovery

This 20-minute video provides an overview of SMART Recovery. It reviews the origin, components, worksheets, as well as a comparison between it and the traditional 12-step approach to addiction recovery. Presented by Ken Kinter.

[chrisnaiello]

As someone who has abstained from alcohol since entering rehab back in 2020, I slipped back into marijuana use 6 months in and became disillusioned by AA. I found myself back at AA recently after realizing the sense of community and suggestions given are immensely helpful. Since then, I’ve picked up two white chips for marijuana use but it still doesn’t make sense to me how one could go to town with one or several of the “okay” drugs (coffee, tobacco, nicotine) but others such as marijuana or prescribed medication are completely off-limits. Now it feels like if I want to stay a part of this club which enriches my life, I have to completely surrender to a set of arbitrary and antiquated principals and turn my life over to a force that, by design, I can’t understand. It’s like I went from one really heavy and uncontrollable situation to another which is hard emotionally. So thank you so much. This video has helped me realize my doubts are not invalid and regardless of how I proceed, knowing that I’m not alone is comforting especially considering I haven’t been able trust my brain for a long time.

[IanFHood]

Hi Ken, I'm 39 yrs clean & sober but just heard about SMART recovery.. Thank you for this introduction, it's very helpful.

[BrinG]

I am currently in an inpatient rehab and was given a SMART recovery handbook and this video popped up on my YouTube. Thank you for explaining it.

[rachelleeyre]

This is a fantastic intro to SMART recovery! Thank you so much. I look forward to learning more.

[geoffpeiscopgrau]

Smart Recovery is the future of addiction!!! Sooo much better than AA!!!

[tracyc]

This is great.
I have the smart book. Learning a lot from SMART.
Thank you Bernie
Have a drs appt n need to go.
Thank you everone

[olivelillies]

12 steps and harm reduction and smart recovery have been my only good light in my darkness of addiction to my wellness in removing addiction after I stabilized my mental health and got to the underlying problem of Mt grandfather's loss and my grief of custodial trauma and more loss ... the progress is not as pressured and unreasonable goals but smart goals and taught self compassion and self love self care and to wipe the dust off Mt knees and keep trying not quiting or being reactive not justifying behaviors but AWARE and actions and words aligned out with the old thinking of a 80% failure rate of abstinence and perfectionism

[amarylisbarbosa]

Thank you very much for your presentations as i am preparing for my exam to get my license in FL. Very helpful!

[kevjer]

Thanks for the video. Just got out of rehab and going to AA now. Going to try Smart too. Luckily there are a couple meetings by me.

[egoebb]

Twelve-stepper why not give everyone a choice from the beginning, why make them do the 12 step dance before offering SMART Recovery? People do better when they have a choice.

[knowyourwhyrecovery]

Excellent intro to a great tool for the toolbox. Thanks Ken!

[MISSVERONICA]

Thank you for this video. I do believe SMART recovery is for me. I have tried CA but some elements I do not agree with and I will not be told I have to blindly follow it. However, I will still go to the CA meetings because they do help especially when I have the urge.🥰❤🙏🏿

[hellotrump]

Whether you get sober and stay sober with A.A. or smart stay the course and do it. No more excuses for drinking and drugging. Lots of ways to stay sober

[Andre-fkmo]

Anything that can help someone without hurting others is God blessing

[Dcnj]

Can anyone with experience in SMART recovery help me? I’m trying to learn more and be a part of this but I don’t know anyone else and can’t find any online meetings

[smartnewjersey]

Thank you for this. I am the Regional Coordinator of New Jersey SMART Recovery. I'd love to speak with you more about SMART here in New Jersey. Please reach out. Thanks!

[gwillis]

In my trivial opinion, AA is basically a process of building your own religion. You decide who your Higher Power is and how it will help you.

[rogerthompson]

I'm glad to see how SMART Recovery branched off from Rational Recovery. Jack Trimpey had some great ideas but spent too much time on bashing AA. His negativity was toxic.

[DavidGamble-hb]

I, ve just read the introduction to smart. Whats the second part called please?. I, ve typed getting SMART into the search bar but nothing comes up?

[jamessutton]

AVRT made quick work of my addiction decades ago. Sadly, there's no money in it as I just summarily quit and went on with life. Non-profit doesn't mean people aren't making good $$ it just means the mother organization follows NP rules